chapter 7

The next day at school, something felt different. There was no Mark waiting for me at my locker. I looked around and saw him at his locker talking to a blonde girl. I couldn’t see very well from where I’m standing but I think it’s Heather, one of Taylor’s friends. She was laughing and had her hand on Mark’s shoulder. Then, to my surprise, she suddenly leaned over towards Mark and kissed him. I let out a gasp and looked around me to see if anyone noticed, I felt like my heart stopped. I was glad nobody was paying attention to me. Mark looked surprised too but just for a second, he then started laughing too. I turned around to walk to the opposite direction when I bumped into Raiden.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” I apologized.

“It’s fine, now were even. It seems like it’s our destiny to keep bumping into each other,” referring to the first day of school when he bumped into me. I can’t believe he remembered that. “How are you? You didn’t respond to my message yesterday when I said good morning. Are we good? Did I do something to offend you?”

“I’m good...Yes...No.” I stammered. Get yourself together Cassie, I told myself as I struggled to be coherent. “I mean I got busy and yes we’re good and no you didn’t do anything wrong.” That was a mouthful.

“Did you like the books?”

I know what he’s asking but I had to find a way to dodge his question. “I’m actually reading the granny book and I love the pop up. It’s so cute, thank you.”

“Let’s walk to class, we don’t want to be late,” he said as he took my elbow. “Have you read the pop up book?”

I nodded. I know I have to address it sometime but I was glad when someone approached him and started talking to him. “I’ll go ahead,” I told him as I made my escape.

During homeroom, Mark came in late with Heather, he just glanced at me and gave me a curt nod. I wanted to talk to him after class but he left in a hurry. I texted him asking if he’s avoiding me, he texted back with just a “No”.

During lunch, I felt really lost in the cafeteria. It was my first time in weeks that I’m without Mark. I texted him to ask where he is and all he said was he has something to do. I scanned the crowd to look for familiar faces when I heard someone call me. I looked around and saw Michelle Sparks, a girl Mark and I used to sit with, waving at me. I made my way to her table.

“Hey.” I said smiling.

“Hey, where’s your bodyguard? She asked casually.

“Who?” I stared at her blankly.

“Mark Alexander, that’s who. You seem to be the inseparable duo these past few weeks. What happened? Did you guys have a fight? I’m just curious just like everybody else.”

“Everybody else?” I felt myself blush. “He’s just busy.”

“Yeah we saw he’s busy with Heather. Did you guys break up?”

“What? No, no, no, no! We are not together. We’re just friends and he was just helping me get acquainted with the school.”

“Oh, okay, then.” She shrugged, looking content with my answer.

She told me she was having issues with her boyfie Glen and she thought there must be some bad juju going around making couples fight. I tried to change the subject and brought up our French class and the upcoming test. That took her mind off things and her thoughts about “reverse cupid”. We had French after lunch so we decided to walk to class together. Maybe Mark’s absence is good for me because I’m finally making new friends.

Before math class, I found Raiden standing by my locker. “You wanna walk to class together?” he asked.

“Sure.” I said hoping he won’t bring up the book.

“I really had fun last Saturday”, he began.

“I did too. Thank you again,” I cut him short.

“Can I take you home again later?”

I nodded. Then I asked if he understood the tangent and cotangent lessons that we are taking up in Trigonometry. I understood it but I just wanted to get off the book topic and I didn’t want him to have the time to bring it up.

I was relieved when we got into the classroom and the second bell rang as if on cue.

I was nervous about the ride home with him and played scenarios in my head that I was having a hard time understanding what the lesson was a bout. I will need to look up some online videos on how to do these problems later.

We walked to the car together and so far he made no mention of his note. When he opened the car door, I was surprised to see a tiny stuffed panda holding a silk rose on the passenger seat. I looked at him questioningly.

“You like it? I kinda got the idea that you like pandas.”

“It’s so cute! I love it!” I took the bear and sat down. “You need to stop it with the gifts Raiden.” I said as he took his place on the driver’s seat.

“I got it because I thought I offended you with that note in the book. Look Cassie, I just wanted to tell you how I feel about you but I don’t want to pressure you for your answer. I remember what you said to me last week, that we barely know each other and I am willing to let you get to know me first.”

My heart swelled at what he said and I smiled. “I’d love that.”

When we got to my house, I invited him for dinner but he refused saying that he needed to do some stuff at home. “Maybe next time,” he said.

Later that night, I was surprised to get a call from Mark. “Hey, wassup.”

“Nothing much stranger. What’s up with you?” I felt irritated.

“I should be asking you that. What’s with you and Patterson? Looks like you’ve been spending a lot of time with him lately. Is he a better tour guide than me?”

“Nothing. He was just being friendly, I guess. He asked me to that movie theater in Rocklin because I’ve never been there and he thought I might enjoy it.” No need to tell him about the flower and the gifts; or the note on the book. I don’t think I owe him any explanation.

“Did you like it?”

“Yeah, it was different and I found it amusing,” I responded.

“I hope you’re not planning on going out with him again.”

“Why not?” I said feeling very annoyed now. I wanted to tell him off. So, he can spend time with Heather and make out with her in the hallway but I can’t go out with someone who likes me? I didn’t want to sound like a jealous girlfriend so I held my tongue and contented myself with saying, “What if I like him?”

“Seriously? I’m just looking out for you Cassie. Just be careful you don’t fall for his sweet talks. He has a reputation in school for treating girls as his conquests.”

Now, for some reason this answer made me madder. I don’t know what I was expecting from him but I knew that wasn’t it. “I don’t care. All I know is that I like him and I will go out with him if I wanted to. You can’t tell me what to do!” I was fuming.

“Fine!” I can hear the irritation in his voice, “You don’t have to bite my head off but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” And with that, he hung up the phone. I don’t understand why he made me so mad. I know he’s just showing concern for me as a friend.